Serge Thomann provided this reply to Andrew Bond’s comments on the Triangle.
His reply is published in full.
“I welcome Cr Bond’s suggestion that it’s time that we look at the St Kilda Triangle again. I certainly hope this is genuine and not just a political stunt in an effort to get Liberal party pre-selection for a Lower or Upper House seat in the next State election.
What is my vision for the Triangle?
The St Kilda Foreshore Urban Design Framework (UDF) was a thirty-year plan that was incorporated into the Port Phillip Planning Scheme in 2004 and has ideas for the Triangle. In 2016, following extensive community consultation, Council (with a notable dissent from Cr Bond) agreed that this meant the Triangle development should be:
“a cultural precinct to complement the Palais Theatre and Luna Park – a precinct of uses and activities that recognises and supports St Kilda’s continuing contribution to the vibrancy of Melbourne and Australia. At its heart is a cultural facility, with an integrated landscape that creates areas for recreation, socialising and events, while enhancing views of the bay and improving connections to the foreshore. The proposed precinct focuses on cultural production, not just recreation or consumption. The aim is to boost tourism and generate a new wave of economic and social benefits for the state and the community, while creating a great place to hang out.”
I believe that this is still what we should fight for. The Cultural Charter that we adopted then is still appropriate.
What went wrong with the Triangle redevelopment in 2008-2010?
The State government in the early 2000’s refused to provide any funding for the Palais Theatre even though it is on iconic Crown Land. This forced the Council in 2008 to try to subsidise the expensive restoration of the Palais theatre by approving a huge shopping mall with many nightclubs and beer barns. However, this betrayed the promises in the UDF. Following an extensive community campaign led by unChain St Kilda, this plan was terminated in 2010. People can always watch the movie ‘Triangle Wars’ on YouTube for the story behind that battle here https://youtu.be/u9FJHovLpuU
What has happened since 2010?
First the Palais was saved by another community campaign. In 2014 the Municipal Building Surveyor was about to close the theatre because of substantial building defects. The Council and the State Government acted. The key person was Martin Foley who responded to a community campaign led by unChain and Tex Perkins, by persuading the State Government to commit $13.4 million for emergency works after the Council had promised $7.5 million. Subsequently in 2016 the Council awarded a 30-year lease of the Palais to the American conglomerate, Live Nation. I dissented awarding the lease to LN as it is well known. While not without controversy, this guaranteed the long-term future of the Palais. The result is that today, unlike in 2008, there is no need for a commercial development of the Triangle to subsidise the restoration of the Palais.
Secondly Council officers have prepared two Masterplans (the Orange document and the Purple document). Councils are good at preparing Masterplans but not so good at implementing them. The City of Port Phillip has never seriously looked at finding the right anchor tenant for the site. But both Masterplans have ideas that could be incorporated into a new Triangle
What should we now do?
The State Government and Josh Burns, our Federal MP, have committed to work with the City of Port Phillip on a business case to determine the best long-term strategy for the Triangle. This should include consideration of the UDF, Council’s Masterplans and the winning entry in the international LAGI design competition for the Triangle. But it requires the Council to commit to this process. In the previous Council only two Councillors, maybe three, were interested. So I hope Cr Bond can persuade his Council colleagues work with the State government on a Triangle development with the pizzazz and drawing power of its neighbouring icons, the Palais and Luna Park. Such a development would also be a huge step in the much-needed urban renewal of Acland Street and Fitzroy Street.
The major issue is who will pay for an appropriate development of the St Kilda Triangle? The Purple Masterplan raised the possibility of a third gallery space for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). This opportunity has passed us by but there are many other possibilities. The Australian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is also going to be built in the arts precinct behind the NGV. I was recently talking at a workshop to very bright young Somali women and men and they would like to have a museum / cultural centre to keep their culture alive. So one idea could be to consider a multicultural space, for people and cultures to meet and learn from each other and showcase all that they have to offer our city.
The pandemic is changing many aspects of life. It is also changing the way St Kilda is perceived. With no tourists and no backpackers, St Kilda is not the same as it used to be. (I acknowledge some residents might be pleased about this). We have to be smart and forward thinking in revitalising St Kilda. The Victorian Pride Centre opening soon could start a trend.
A certain number of car spaces (about 350) has to be provided as part of the Palais lease, and building the car park underground is an obvious solution – but very expensive. The Masterplan always envisaged a hotel behind the Palais with a direct link with the theatre. I still believe that we should be ambitious and that Jacka Blvd should be underground so that we can have a seamless access from the Esplanade to the beach.
We need a bipartisan approach from both parties to find the best outcome for our important part of our foreshore. And we need to take it seriously with a financial commitment. Whatever is going to happen on the site will be of national / international significance. Think MONA, think the Guggenheim in Bilbao.
Yes, it has been many years in the making but I am a believer and the right outcome will occur at the right time.”